Chelsea's Tomas Kalas: I was so happy to start and glad I gave my all

As far as full debuts in the Premier League go, stopping the most lethal striker and PFA Player of the Year Luis Suraez from scoring is not a bad way to start.

It has taken Tomas Kalas three years to finally be named in the starting XI for Chelsea and judging by the ecstatic expression on his face afterwards, it was worth the wait.

“I didn’t know I was going to play to be honest,” he told Standard Sport. “So it was a surprise, albeit a nice one! I found out during the pre-game meeting. I couldn’t celebrate but I was happy inside and prepared to give my all and I think I did that.”

Kalas’s story is a familiar one. Chelsea spotted his potential playing for Czech outfit Sigma Olomouc in 2011 and agreed a £5.2million deal.

Like many youngsters stockpiled for the Academy, he has had to spend time on loan elsewhere, going back to his old side as well as enjoying a spell at Chelsea’s Dutch partners Vitesse Arnhem.

This season has been one of frustration though. The 20-year-old was deemed good enough to be part of the squad, yet has made just two brief appearances as a substitute. Kalas even complained to Czech TV recently that he was only at Stamford Bridge to be used as a cone in training.

Some careers need a bit of fortune to get kickstarted into life and an injury to captain John Terry, plus manager Jose Mourinho’s concern over avoiding injuries to the likes of Gary Cahill and David Luiz ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg with Atletico Madrid, meant he was picked next to Branislav Ivanovic against the most potent attack in the Premier League.

His first test of nerve showed he was more than ready for the challenge. A well-timed tackle on Raheem Sterling set the tone for an impressive display.

Surely it could lead to more appearances next season? Not necessarily, as Kalas explained: “To be given the chance against Liverpool provided me with the best motivation to show I can play more games. I slept well the night before. Did I worry about the prospect of facing Suarez? No.

“If I keep playing like that, hopefully I will prove I’m good enough for Chelsea. It is up to the manager, me and my agent whether I play for another team next year on loan and come back, or stay here.”